Known for its rugged natural beauty, a wealth of outdoor adventures, and cozy mountain lodges, Bailey offers visitors an authentic taste of the Colorado Rockies. This article explores all that Bailey has to offer.
In This Article
TL;DR
- Bailey Lodge provides stunning mountain scenery and endless outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, mountain biking, and winter sports.
- Visitors can experience local culture through arts, crafts, cuisine, breweries, festivals, and historical sites.
- Accommodations range from family-friendly lodges to secluded romantic cabins with scenic views.
- Bailey Lodge offers the perfect blend of natural splendor, small-town charm, and modern-day comforts.
Overview of Bailey, Colorado
Bailey lies just over an hour southwest of Denver, situated deep in the Pike National Forest amidst the Rocky Mountains. Surrounded by soaring peaks, lush forests, and babbling creeks, Bailey provides easy access to the great outdoors right outside guests’ front doors.
In addition to pristine nature, Bailey also charms visitors with its Western-themed downtown filled with local shops, galleries, restaurants, and watering holes. The town still retains its old-timey vibe, with wooden boardwalks and locals who tip their cowboy hats in greeting.
Bailey Lodge caters to tourists and has suites, so it is family-friendly and also allows pets. They offer various suite sizes to accommodate any needs, and the hotel also has access to world-class hiking, biking, and fishing.
Experiencing Local Culture
Beyond Bailey’s natural highlights, visitors can also experience authentic local culture, from arts and crafts to Colorado breweries and fall colors tours. The downtown area contains quirky galleries, studios, and shops selling handmade textiles, pottery, paintings, jewelry, and more by local artisans. The Fun & Funky Art Gallery is a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
To taste Bailey’s local flavor, visitors can sample regional cuisine with elk burgers, bison steaks, smoked trout, foraged mushrooms, huckleberry pie, and other mountain-inspired dishes made from local ingredients. Bailey’s recent brewery boom means craft beer fans can also enjoy ales and lagers from small-batch brewhouses like Mad Jacks Mountain Brewery. And for wine lovers, Aspen Peak Cellars is a great place to relax and enjoy a glass.
For history buffs, Bailey contains numerous Old West sites to explore like abandoned mines, stagecoach routes, and Native American dwellings. The town itself also provides glimpses into Colorado’s frontier past with preserved buildings from the late 1800s. By learning about Bailey’s local history, visitors gain insight into the culture of resilience and independence that still thrives here today.
Outdoor Adventures Surrounding Bailey
Of course, Bailey’s biggest draw lies in the great outdoors. Visitors travel near and far to experience the area’s unspoiled wilderness teeming with wildlife, soaring peaks, and glistening high-mountain lakes.
Hikers delight in over 200 miles of trails ranging from meandering nature paths to steep, rocky terrain with panoramic mountaintop views. Popular hikes near Bailey Lodge include segments of the Colorado Trail, Mount Bailey, and Mount Evans.
The area also contains some of the state’s best fly fishing along the South Platte River and its tributaries. Anglers can cast for trout, bass, and pike often without seeing another soul all day. Sports lovers will also enjoy the Bear Mountain Disc Golf Course.
For mountain bikers, Bailey’s remote dirt roads and single-track trails offer miles of backcountry riding. Many routes also double as scenic drives past wildflower meadows, aspens, and forested slopes rich with wildlife. Visitors may spot elk, deer, black bears, foxes, coyotes, bald eagles, and other animals, especially during fall mating season. Some lodges even offer horseback riding for those wanting to saddle up and ride like true cowboys.
Once winter hits, Bailey transforms into a veritable winter wonderland perfect for playing in powder. The area contains both downhill and cross-country skiing with family-friendly areas like Loveland Basin and more advanced terrain at Arapahoe Basin. For Nordic skiing and snowshoeing, the pristine backcountry provides endless options, especially along the Colorado Trail. Other popular cold-weather activities include ice fishing, sledding, and snowmobiling.
Scenic Drives and Wildlife Watching
Visitors who want to admire Bailey’s scenery without breaking a sweat can embark on the area’s spectacular scenic drives. The Lariat Loop National Scenic Byway provides 40 miles of twists and turns with striking rock formations, sheer cliffs, and panoramic mountain vistas. The Mount Evans Scenic Byway climbs to 14,264 feet (4,350 m), making it the highest paved road in North America. And the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway is also a must-see.
These roads also grant access to prime wildlife watching and photography locations to spot moose, bighorn sheep, yellow-bellied marmots, pikas, and over 100 bird species. Certain scenic overlooks even offer stargazing opportunities to witness the Milky Way stretching across night skies unpolluted by light. The kaleidoscope of golden fall foliage also makes autumn one of the best times for Colorado sightseeing, especially along the renowned Kenosha Pass.
Lodging Options in Bailey
Bailey contains a variety of inviting places to stay amid the Rocky Mountain splendor. Many Bailey hotels offer a perfect balance of modern-day comforts while maintaining a cozy, rustic charm befitting their forested settings. Handcrafted log beds, river rock fireplaces, private hot tubs, and decks overlooking the mountains provide just the right ambiance for a relaxing getaway.
Bailey Lodge is a great place to stay and is centrally located in an area with fantastic hiking, fishing, and tourist attractions. The lodge features two-bedroom suites and every guest gets free WiFi, USB chargers, coffeemakers, access to a stocked trout pond, and a heated swimming pool. Free parking is also available on-site.
Couples seeking a more private, intimate escape can choose from secluded cabins and lodges surrounded by National Forest. Many rentals boast riverfront locations for fly fishing right on-site or scenic patios with hot tubs made for stargazing. These all-inclusive properties offer horseback riding, campfires, cowboy cookouts, line dancing, skeet shooting, and other ranch activities.
Historical Sites and Festivals
In addition to natural splendor, Bailey brims with fascinating history. Visitors can tour abandoned mines and get glimpses into Colorado’s Gold Rush era. Other historical attractions include the 1860s McGraw Memorial Park, which chronicles local pioneer settlements. The Ute Indians also have a long legacy in the region with ancient dwellings and burial grounds scattered throughout the forest.
The town itself still exudes an authentic Old West vibe harkening back to its founding in the late 1800s. The preserved buildings lining Main Street seem straight out of an old Western with covered boardwalks and false fronts. In fact, the picturesque downtown has served as a filming location for movies and commercials seeking that iconic historic look.
Local Markets and Specialty Shops
Beyond historical attractions, downtown Bailey also hosts numerous farmers markets, flea markets, and specialty shops for hunting down local treasures. Visitors can browse booths with fresh produce, baked goods, arts and crafts, antiques, custom leather and ironwork, handmade textiles, and other unique finds. These local markets offer a perfect opportunity to mingle with artisans and shop for authentic mementos.
FAQ
Are dogs allowed at Bailey Lodge?
Bailey Lodge is pet-friendly and allows approved pets to stay for just $20 extra per night. However, dogs cannot stay alone in the rooms.
What are the top 3 things to do in Bailey, Colorado?
The top 3 things visitors must experience in Bailey include:
- Exploring the great outdoors through hiking, mountain biking, fishing, or winter sports.
- Sampling local cuisine and craft beer from Bailey's restaurants, cafes, and brewhouses.
- Learning about Colorado's history and culture by touring historical sites and attending local festivals.
Does Bailey Lodge have quiet hours?
Yes, Bailey Lodge keeps “quiet hours” from 10 pm to 8 am to help all guests have a good night’s sleep.
Does Bailey Lodge have smoke-free rooms?
Bailey Lodge does not allow smoking of any kind in any of their rooms. You are allowed to smoke on the deck of your room as long as the windows and doors are closed.
Does Bailey have family-friendly accommodations?
Yes, Bailey has many family-friendly hotels, lodges, cabins, and vacation rentals perfect for traveling with kids. Many properties offer amenities like game rooms, kids’ programs, playgrounds, and pools. The town itself also provides plenty of activities to keep children entertained, such as hiking, fishing, and the Treehouse Adventure Park.
What is the best way to experience Bailey’s local culture?
To fully experience Bailey’s one-of-a-kind culture, visitors should shop the local markets, attend the numerous festivals and events, take a historical tour, explore downtown galleries and shops, and sample the regional cuisine and craft beer. Interacting with locals also provides the best cultural immersion.
So for those seeking magnificent mountain scenery, outdoor adventures, and charming small-town vibes, Bailey Lodge offers an unbeatable Rocky Mountain getaway
